Every slumdog and butcher knew to never set foot in the godforsaken Beast Glades alone. And yet, Baoshi, in all her merciful might, chose to bring Feng Han there without his knowledge.

  Feng Han felt the exasperation of the journey catching up with him, and he'd yet to even take the first step. He clenched his fists and looked into the distant horizon.

  I did say even hell wouldn't stop me—I guess this isn't too far off.

  "Baoshi?"

  Feng Han tried to rouse her from her slumber repeatedly, all to no avail.

  She had consumed so much to not only transport him in her weakened state, but also the act of transmitting strength and knowledge was far from easy as well.

  The Beast Glades were treacherous and miserable, but Feng Han had no choice but to traverse the hellish landscape alone.

  It was near enough to the Ashen Cliff Mountains that sunlight rarely reached. Far enough from Eternal Flame City that the beasts could breed and cultivate freely. It was a cold, bleak, and deathly charred greyish landscape that left little desire in Feng Han's heart.

  It was hell. A veritable nightmare where even large hunting groups could not come and go as they pleased without support. They would often employ the services of the sects to make the journey, and the sects would allow the disciples to accrue merits through those missions.

  Resources in the Beast Glades were plentiful; that was one thing nobody could deny. Whether it was the beast hides, bones, or the qi-enriched plants that grew earnestly, all was usable for mortals and cultivators alike.

  But where there was opportunity, there was plentiful danger as well.

  The numerous beasts that called the Beast Glades their home had their own ecosystem, just like human cities. Some were merely beginning their cultivation journey. While others were born with innate talents to absorb qi and grow rapidly, becoming overlords of their own regions.

  Feng Han's confidence swayed like reeds in a pond. Buffeting with each lonesome step he took. Bestial howls spread across the glades, bouncing off the dark grey tree trunks and gravely bedrock. Their grating noise caused chills to run down Feng Han's spine. He may have broken through, but he had yet to truly explore his cultivation or the ways in which cultivators fought.

  Not that he had much of a choice. He turned his gaze toward the distant horizon, chasing after the remnant smoke that still lingered. The fires that spread from Eternal Flame City left their marks in the sky above, and it'd take a far longer time before they dissipated. If nothing else, it gave Feng Han a direction to follow.

  The Beast Glades were a nightmare to navigate. One had to first pass the farthest reaches of the Emberwood Forest before touching the desolate territory. And then, at the opposite side, the glades led into the arduous Ashen Cliffs and the region beyond the mountains that few rarely visited.

  Still, at least with the smoke, the nightmare didn't happen, and the darkness of the glades couldn't stop Feng Han's return, no matter how long it'd take.

  "Baoshi? Are you really going to sleep?" Feng Han called once more, a soft attempt at having the added reassurance of her presence.

  Feng Han sighed.

  Baoshi remained a silent spectator, floating in his mind like an ethereal presence, there but not.

  Gradually, Feng Han picked up speed, racing through the glades while at the same time exploring his newly achieved cultivation. His steps struck the barren bedrock, and he leaped further than he ever had.

  He was always proud of his speed, but now, he couldn't help but admire it triply so.

  Before Feng Han knew it, midday arrived, and the heat was a scalding inferno despite the lack of sunlight. Zealous and starved steps shuffled all around him, moving between the tightly packed Greywood trees that filled the area he was in. He tensed, letting his senses sharpen and focus on every sound.

  He paused, two beady eyes focusing on him from atop a sturdy branch. The little furry creature stared at Feng Han, its thoughts unknown as it tilted its head curiously for a moment before chirping loudly and skittering away.

  Feng Han lunged toward the beast, chasing after it with swift steps and punching out with two fingers. The yinfire qi-blade formed, slicing into the beast before it could escape, but he quickly realized it was too late.

  It didn't matter how many opponents there were or how dangerous the situation was. A solution would always come, sooner or later. It was something Feng Han knew well from his time on the streets.

  But even then, in the Beast Glades, where the numbers could easily turn into the dozens, it left him worried nonetheless.

  The little beast's cries attracted countless steps that circled around Feng Han's location. He moved, focusing on clearing a path and finding out what his opponent was and whether he could take it on in a fight.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  If you can win, win. If you can run, run. But no matter what, never get careless and get stabbed in the back. Feng Han's father's words whispered in the back of his mind, a distant lesson he'd kept to heart.

  Having cultivation shoved down his throat was an incredible feeling, and from what he'd seen during his trek out of the Beast Glades, it was unimaginable for him to have reached this level. Still, he could not let it get to his head. The world was vast, and those above him were as countless as the stars in the sky.

  With no sect or backing, no training worth a damn, and no skills besides what Baoshi bestowed him, Feng Han couldn't afford to be conceited.

  Their steps are light; they should be smaller beasts, but not as small as the initial one.

  Clever, it seems. The beasts aren't attacking immediately, even as I reposition.

  Three? Maybe four of them? Small numbers, but if they're confident and have some stronger ones in the distance hiding, it'd make sense.

  Feng Han quickly analyzed the situation based on the tracks. He couldn't be sure; it'd be impossible to do in his circumstances. That's why he considered the worst case just the same. He took a deep breath and moved slightly opposite the rustling leaves and prowling sounds of the beasts.

  I don't think Baoshi would let me die a meaningless death after everything—but even without her help, I'm sure I can do this.

  He may not have been a hunter, but as long as the wild beasts acted like wild beasts, he had the confidence to win.

  His ears prickled, and he sidestepped, lunging toward the closest tree. Behind him, shadows flickered and landed at the spot he had stood.

  Six beasts barely larger than the first beady-eyed rat appeared, hissing with teeth bared, their sharp claws tearing the gravely bedrock.

  He didn't recognize them, but based on stories he'd heard from hunters, he could only assume they were Cinder Rats—scavengers and trackers that often cooperated with other beasts to ensure that they rarely ever starved and were always protected by a mightier creature.

  Feng Han felt little relief seeing them; the sounds of the larger beasts continued at a cautious distance, waiting for him to fall into their trap. Still, the fact that they hadn't attacked yet despite their numbers left him wondering.

  If they're so cautious, it means they shouldn't be overly confident of taking me down easily...

  Feng Han's musings made his next choice an easy one as he spun around and ducked behind the tree. The beasts, thinking he was fleeing, spurred into motion, chasing after him.

  "Foolish," Feng Han muttered as he sprang out and struck out with the qi-blade. He swiped his arm downward, letting the qi tear through several of the creatures in one fierce strike.

  It wasn't enough, however, as nearly half a dozen of them managed to dodge that small blade's reach.

  They bounced back, buck teeth protruding as they snapped toward Feng Han. Their attacks made him step back, weaving slightly as they flew past him and struck a tree behind him.

  Feng Han quickly realized that the Yinfire Blade alone was inefficient. As the Cinder Rats rebounded, he tried something different. Instead of focusing on the qi as a singular blade, he focused on his palm as the blade itself. By harnessing the qi across his hand, he lessened the amount of qi extended off his flesh, but greatly increased the amount of blades.

  He thought of the fans that some of the ladies used in the slums. They had to learn to protect themselves—especially against large numbers of touch-starved thugs. Blades were good, but bladed fans proved the most useful for their less trained bodies.

  The rats spread, aiming at his vital points with precision. Feng Han slapped down at the closest, his hand dropping like Buddha's palm as it splattered the beast's flesh violently.

  He let the momentum carry forward as he spun his leg, letting his palm strike two more rats that lunged for his leg.

  As the blood splatter struck the faces of the remaining creatures, they screeched frantically and turned tail to run away.

  "Not so fast!" Feng Han blared, his confidence stoked like a flame as he pounced at the vermin. "You've already warned your boss. It'd be a shame if I didn't give an example of what'll happen if it's careless."

  Feng Han treated the rats like the henchmen of a street gang, tearing through them with the modified technique. All in the hopes of sending an undeniable message: I'm not some hopeless prey; if you bare your teeth, you'd better bite harder than I can.

  "Yinfire Palm!" Feng Han instinctively called out as he jumped on the last beast, crushing it against the gravely bedrock without consideration before it could run.

  The nearby steps that lingered in the distance halted. A brief silence as they eyed Feng Han once more.

  Feng Han exhaled, standing upright. He smiled. The Cinder Rats were truly kind, allowing him to test the strength of his reforged body.

  "So..." Feng Han mused out loud. "You're coming after all?"

  The beasts were but beasts after all. To them, Feng Han's potential or secrets mattered little. They felt the threat, but not enough to forsake the meal that squirmed in front of their faces.

  Feng Han leaped back, his senses tingling as he heard the rapid smacking of feet approaching.

  One beast appeared from the overgrowth, its snout twitching and beady eyes glowing with malice. Pale yellow pupils and flames sputtering, controlled and temperamental.

  Feng Han clenched his teeth; the situation was neither ideal nor hopeless. "Firetail foxes..." he muttered before dodging again to the side.

  Two more beasts appeared, their teeth bared as they clawed the ground with a deep, visible gash. They turned to Feng Han, hostility blatant. They weren't upset that their attack failed; it just made the hunt that much more enjoyable as they cautiously circled around him.

  Feng Han smiled, a hint of confidence peering through the cracks of his worry.

  "Baoshi, if you're pretending to sleep to see if I'll fail your expectations or not... I'll have to disappoint you. I'm not planning on dying to these beasts."

  He looked at the beasts, raising his palm tauntingly as his qi enveloped it, and said, "Come, let's see if your bite is as bad as your bark."